Relocating Batteries in to cabin in a 22?

[Montana Kev]

I know battery relocation and placement has been covered many times here. I cannot find anything about moving the 2 batteries forward into the cabin in a 22 cruiser.

What is the consensus on moving them way forward in to a locker under the v-birth?

Thanks,
Kevin

[rogerbum]

[thataway]

Generally when you put batteries in an enclosed cabin, you want to go with AGM batteries. The reason is that Lead acid batteries give out hydrogen gas, which is explosive--and any acid spilled will cause damage to material which is near the battery.

Currently I have only AGM batteries in the cabin of my C dory. In the past, I have had large banks of both golf carts and starting batteries, inside of a cabin of large sailboats/ motorsailors. But these have been in areas which were vented to the exterior, such as an engine room, or box with an outside vent.

[Montana Kev]

The motivation for doing this is to shift some of the weight forward and also to free up some storage in the stern. Just not sure if it's worth the effort.

Kevin

[Sea Wolf]

Kevin-

I did it in my CD-22.

I put two group 27's under the forward dinette seat.

You'll need very large cables, # 0's or # 00's. Use the voltage drop tables that show voltage drop for various wire gauge size vs amperage loads.

I used #6 wire cable, but still have the main two batteries back in the back of the boat, and use the forward two to back up the rear ones, and don't use them independently of the rear set. They provide extra capacity, and are wired parallel into the cables coming forward to supply the windlass. Most of the load on the windlass goes onto them because of the resistance difference/cable length.

I never start my motor on the forward ones alone with the #6 cables. Could be done with some big ones, though.

I wanted two extra 27's to provide more total capacity to use a anti-ventilation plate mounted trolling motor for lake trolling. (See below).

Don't forget a set of circuit breakers or fuses, and an Off-1-Both-2 switch up there to kill the live voltage on the cables, as those big ones can carry 100's of amps and start fires fast!

They're in battery boxes, of course.

Try to keep them centered in terms of weight distribution. I had to shuffle some ballast around to balance mine out for the overall distribution. Like the weight forward, definitely! (Also have 75 lbs. (100 ft) of chain in the bow anchor locker).

Joe.


Click in image for larger photo(s)

[nimrod]

the previous owner of my boat moved the batts to inside the cabin under the aft dinette seat. Two Optima AGM batts. Convenient to get to and the weight distribution is good. He also mounted the batt selector switch to the port side aft cabin bulkhead.

jd

[breausaw]

Another consideration is cost, 1/0 gauge marine tinned battery cable is like $6 to $8 a foot, 2/0 gauge about $8 to $10 a foot. The battery cable is going to cost you about as much as the batteries. If you trailer your boat and don’t leave it in Salt water for extended periods you could use non tinned cable, it costs way less.

[jennykatz]

Maybe if your motivation is to move weight forward .Why don't you move the water tank forward instead of batteries this would be a lot cheaper to do and safer . Also you could put a series 27-31 under sink stove and use as your house battery and keep a series 24 in the back for starting
Moving batteries will cost you also what do you do with your boat ? camping ,fishing do you really need all 20 gallons of water Do you really need lots of battery power where maybe a solar collector and group 27 would do . I guess you have to answer a few questions what is my intent balance boat ,more storage in rear , more battery power etc.

[Doryman]

Not that I intend to do it, but another possible reason for moving the batteries forward would be to free up the lazarette for fish or bait.

Warren

[Matt Gurnsey]

I have seen batteries installed between the fuel tanks in a 22, leaving the lazerette area open.

[centerisland]

[Kelly Lynn]

If you are looking for inexpensive marine wire try www.tinnedmarinewire.com I just put shore ower in my 22' and I looked all over for wire. This place was the most inexpensive I found and good to work with.